DHS Skyline 2 Provincial Blue Sponge

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Rubber description:

DHS Skyline 2 Provincial Blue Sponge, a legendary table tennis rubber renowned for its exceptional performance and unrivaled playing characteristics. Crafted by Double Happiness, this rubber has captured the hearts of players worldwide, earning it a reputation as one of the greatest rubbers ever produced.

With a phenomenal speed rating of 8.4, the Skyline 2 Blue Sponge allows for lightning-fast attacks and explosive shots. Its spin capabilities are equally impressive, boasting a staggering 9.4 rating. This combination of speed and spin makes it a formidable weapon in the hands of skilled players, enabling them to generate devastating topspin shots that dip and curve with precision.

The rubber's control rating of 9.4 reflects its exceptional consistency and predictability. The Blue Sponge version offers a slightly softer feel compared to the Orange Sponge variant, providing enhanced control and a more forgiving touch. This makes it an ideal choice for players seeking a balance between power and accuracy.

Tackiness is another defining characteristic of the Skyline 2 Blue Sponge, with a rating of 8.7. This inherent stickiness allows for exceptional grip on the ball, enabling players to impart heavy spin and execute delicate control shots with finesse. The rubber's weight of 6.6 grams contributes to its overall balance and handling, offering a comfortable feel and effortless maneuverability.

The sponge hardness of 9.4 provides a medium-hard playing experience, catering to a wide range of playing styles. It offers a solid foundation for powerful strokes while maintaining a reasonable level of control. The gears rating of 9.1 indicates the rubber's versatility, allowing players to seamlessly transition between attacking and defensive play.

The throw angle of 3.5 degrees generates a relatively low trajectory, enabling players to maintain control over their shots and keep the ball close to the table. This low-to-medium throw angle is particularly effective for executing precise loops and counter-attacks.

Consistency is a hallmark of the Skyline 2 Blue Sponge, with a rating of 9.2. This rubber delivers reliable performance, shot after shot, allowing players to focus on their strategy and tactics rather than worrying about unpredictable outcomes. Its durability rating of 8.4 ensures longevity, making it a worthwhile investment for serious players.

Overall, DHS Skyline 2 Provincial Blue Sponge is an exceptional table tennis rubber that has earned its place among the greats. Its combination of speed, spin, control, and consistency make it a versatile choice for players of all levels, from recreational enthusiasts to seasoned professionals. Whether you're a seasoned attacker or a meticulous defender, the Skyline 2 Blue Sponge can elevate your game to new heights.

Recent Reviews

#1July 2024

This review discusses the 40’ version of the table tennis rubber, highlighting its performance when played both unboosted and boosted. The unboosted rubber performs better on softer, more flexible blades, while boosting with one layer of FT Long Booster yields better results on harder, stiffer blades.

In terms of specific ratings:

  • Looping: 9.7/10
  • Driving: 8.5/10 (performing better when boosted)
  • Serve/Receive: 10/10
  • Blocking: 9/10 (note that the ball’s trajectory isn’t linear, as it tends to curve, which may not be ideal for training)
  • Countering: 9/10 (both spinning and hitting back the ball are relatively easy and adjustable).

Overall, the rubber is best utilized on mildly stiff blades such as the Barwell Fleet, Gauzy SL, or Infinity VPS when unboosted, or on the Viscaria when boosted. These recommendations are based on above-average looping mechanics and emphasize that this rubber requires more effort to master compared to T05 or even the Dignics series. However, it offers a significant safety advantage under pressure, ensuring the ball will land regardless of the shot.

The opening third ball with this rubber remains classic and is much more powerful than the Hurricane series, in my opinion. I appreciate the rubber’s flexibility in hitting, looping, and even loop driving. Weighing in at a modest 48-49 grams on a 157/150 blade, it’s not excessively heavy.

This rubber is particularly suitable for players who prefer heavy, hard countering without the bottoming out associated with the Hurricane or Tenergy series. It provides immaculate control for short games and allows for flat hits against heavy topspins, offering ease of redirection without any loss of control.

While it takes more work than tensors, the shots are much more fulfilling and can be deadlier, especially with unusual ball spins such as flat or sidespin from opponents. I tested this rubber on various blades, including the Nobilis, Gauzy SL, Nittaku SKC, and some basic five-ply blades. My least favorite pairing was with low dwell blades, as they didn’t allow the rubber to sink and generate the necessary energy for effective spinning.

#2July 2024

This rubber is not particularly speedy; its speed is medium-fast, even after boosting. The throw angle is low, which means that if you’re too relaxed when shooting, the ball may not clear the net.

The topspin and serve characteristics are phenomenal, and the chop block topspin is impressive. Additionally, countering topspin shots is easy with this rubber. In my experience, it performs better when paired with a harder blade.

However, it does require good technique and is more physically demanding to produce effective shots.

#3July 2024

The speed rating of this table tennis rubber is over-exaggerated, even with three layers of national yellow.

However, the spin capability is incredible! The serves are extremely spinny, and making pushes is very easy as well.

As someone who hits very hard, I found the speed to be satisfactory. It didn’t bother me at all.

This rubber is excellent for hard-hitting players who want to achieve powerful topspins.

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